Savage Mind Bookshop, known for its vibrant contribution to the local cultural landscape, has announced a temporary closure following severe flooding caused by Typhoon Kristine.
Established in 2018 by Bikol poet and filmmaker Kristian Cordero, the bookshop has served as a creative hub for the community.
This unfortunate incident marks the second time this year that Savage Mind has suffered flood damage.
Just two months ago, Typhoon Enteng caused similar devastation, damaging numerous books and materials.
Despite extensive preparations for Typhoon Kristine, the floodwaters rose unexpectedly high, reaching 15 feet and overwhelming the efforts of Cordero’s family. They managed the preparations in his absence, as he was in Germany for the Frankfurt Buchmesse.
Significant Losses and Cultural Impact
In an interview with BicoldotPH, Cordero expressed the heartbreak of losing valuable historical materials and artworks from noted Filipino and Bikolano artists such as Venacio Igarta and Santiago Bose.
“We lost important historical materials and artworks by Venacio Igarta, Santiago Bose, and other important Filipino and Bikolano artists. We had several collections of first editions Filipiñana titles,” he lamented.
The financial impact is estimated to be nearly 10 million pesos.
The personal loss is profound for Cordero, who also mentioned the destruction of his own library and that of fellow poet Luis Cabalquinto. Among the lost items were precious letters of Antonio Luna.
A Call for Solidarity and Support
Cordero is reaching out to the community for assistance, seeking to establish a solidarity relief fund to support professional interventions and recovery efforts.
He also expressed hope for assistance from government agencies like the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the national archives.
For now, Cordero is not considering relocating the bookshop. Instead, he plans to take a reflective pause.
“One thing is for sure, the bookshop will have to be closed down under indefinite time period,” he stated.
Despite the challenges, Cordero remains hopeful, inspired by the messages of support and solidarity from the community.
Looking Ahead with Resilience
While the future of Savage Mind remains uncertain, Cordero sees this as an opportunity to reflect on the resilience of the Filipino spirit.
“We take comfort in the fact that we are a people charged with deep spirituality,” he said.
This spirit, reflected in the arts, books, and cinema, empowers the community to rise from adversity and envision a brighter future.
As Naga City and its residents rally around Savage Mind, the hope is that this beloved bookshop will once again open its doors, heralding a new chapter of cultural enrichment and community engagement. I Jeric Lopez
Photos by: Savage Mind: Arts, Books, Cinema
